Garment for carrying cell phones and the like

ABSTRACT

A specialized garment for wearing on a human hand such as a glove for enclosing the hand having a palm surface and a back surface is disclosed. There is a first pocket on the back surface of the glove comprising three seamed sides and a fourth side defining an opening and a closure element for the first pocket. The glove also has a wrist securing element such as a wristband. Preferably, the first pocket is stitched to the glove, and can have an elastic element and preferably has a closure element such as a hook and loop fabric element or a buckle and strap. The garment of claim  1,  wherein the wrist securing element is an elastic member. Although described as a “glove,” it is preferred that the garment be a fingerless glove that has either short finger sections or an opening for the hand with no finger sections, but in either instance permits the majority of the length of the wearer&#39;s fingers to be uncovered. The garment is useful for carrying a cell phone or other devices and for carrying change, keys, transit tokens or other items of immediate need.

This application is related to Provisional U.S. application 60/720,063 filed on Sep. 23, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus in the form of a garment wearable on the hand in the manner of a glove that is particularly adapted to hold a cell phone or other electronic device and that may also include the ability to retain coins, keys, jewelry and other small objects that are items of immediate importance.

There are numerous cell-phone carrying devices on the market today, ranging from simple belt clips and lanyards, to elaborate multifunction cases.

It would be desirable to provide an apparatus that permits easy, ever-ready access to a cell phone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a garment for wearing on a human hand, such as a glove for enclosing the hand having a palm surface and a back surface. There is a first pocket on the back surface of the glove comprising three seamed sides and a fourth side defining an opening and a closure element for the first pocket. The glove also has a wrist securing element such as a wristband. Preferably, the first pocket is stitched to the glove, and can have an elastic element and preferably has a closure element such as a hook and loop fabric element or a buckle and strap. The garment of claim 1, wherein the wrist securing element is an elastic member. Although described as a “glove,” it is preferred that the garment be a fingerless glove that has either short finger sections or an opening for the hand with no finger sections, but in either instance permits the majority of the length of the wearer's fingers to be uncovered.

In certain preferred embodiments, a second pocket is disposed on the palm surface of the glove and the and second pocket further also has a closure element, such as a zipper. The first pocket can include a section of transparent material and the glove itself can be made of leather or a man made material, and in certain embodiments at least a portion of said garment comprises a material adapted to be written upon.

In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to a garment for retaining a cell phone on a human hand in the form of a fingerless glove for enclosing the hand having a palm surface and a back surface that has a first pocket for retaining a cell phone on the back surface of the glove comprising three seamed sides and a fourth side defining an opening, a closure element for the first pocket and a wrist securing element comprising a wrist band. There can also be a second pocket disposed on the palm surface with a closure element for that pocket.

Alternatively, in certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a garment for retaining an identification card on a human hand, comprising: a fingerless glove for enclosing the hand having a palm surface and a back surface that has a first pocket for retaining an identification card on the back surface of the glove comprising three seamed sides and a fourth side defining an opening along with a wrist securing element comprising an elastic cuff, and may or may not have a second pocket disposed on the palm surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B are, respectively, a palm side plan view and an back side plan view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B taken from the side having an opening for the thumb;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B viewed from the side opposite that illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A-4B are, respectively, a palm side plan view and an back side plan view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5B are, respectively, a perspective view and a palm side plan view of another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6A-6B are, respectively, a palm side plan view and a backside perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIEMNTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1B, there is illustrated a plan view of a garment 100 for carrying a cell phone 52 or similar device such as a pager or other electronic device in the form of a fingerless and thumbless glove or mitt that can be worn by a user. The garment 100 is preferably sized or designed so it can fit over a glove or mitten for seasonal use or due to environmental conditions as well as over a bare hand 50. The garment 100 can be constructed from any conventional materials including natural materials such as leather or canvas as well as synthetic materials such as vinyl, woven nylon or similar man-made fabrics. In preferred embodiments, and as illustrated, the glove 100 is fingerless which would allow the present invention to be worn over gloves or mittens as well as over bare hands. Additionally, in warmer weather the fingerless design permits activities such as dialing and manipulating small objects that are best done with bare fingertips to be accomplished without interference.

Preferably, a first pocket 102 retains a cell phone or the like, as seen in FIG. 1A and there is at least a second pocket 107 for retaining coins, keys, transit tokens and similar small objects. As seen in FIG. 1A, the fastener 103 secures the phone 52, while. Preferably, the second pocket 107 is formed in the palm side of the glove, as seen in FIG. 1B and may be provided with either a Velcro or zipper closing, or any similar manner of closing. This pocket provides a place to hold coins or similar items such as transit tokens that are of similar size and of immediate importance. A variety of shapes and sizes of pockets is contemplated for the garment, and the opening of these pockets may be secured with any of the various fasteners commonly employed and available, e.g., Velcro, snaps, zippers, buttons, and the like and as seen in FIG. 1B, Velcro or a similar fastener 108 secures the open edge of the second pocket 107.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a thumbhole seam opening allows the thumb room and offers flexibility. Most preferably, as seen in FIGS. 1A-1B the triangular seam 104 formed at this juncture is reinforced to protect the seam from splitting. As also seen in FIGS. 1A-1B the wrist opening 105 houses a wristband 106 with a buckle or “D” rings providing a mechanism by which the device may be secured to the wrist for stability and to preclude or diminish the fully loaded device from slipping off the hand. The wristband 106 may be made of any relatively inflexible material such as leather, plastic, fabric, woven nylon or the like or even metal, in the manner of wristwatch bands.

Further details of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B are illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the garment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B taken from the side having an opening for the thumb. The reinforcement 104 of the opening along the thumb seam is again illustrated, along with the details of the wristband 106 that secures the wrist opening. FIG. 3 illustrates that on the side opposite the thumb, a conventional seam 109 is created.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, and alternate embodiment of the closure of the phone pocket 102 is illustrated in which a buckle 112 is provided to close the pocket 102 in which the phone 52 is disposed. Similarly, FIG. 4B illustrates the closure of the second pocket 107 via a zipper 117 as discussed above.

In the first embodiment illustrated and described above, the first and second pockets (102,107) are shown as being conventionally stitched to the body of the glove 100. It will be appreciated that such a construction would require some elasticity in the materials used or specific sizing to provide a snug yet reliable fit between the phone 52 and the pocket 102, for one example. It will be appreciated that numerous construction techniques such as bellows or elastic side panels can be incorporated into the design to permit non-elastic or less elastic materials such as leather, thick fabrics or certain man-made materials to be used. Similarly, although a wrist opening that is closed using a buckled strap 106 is illustrated, those of skill in the art will understand that the wrist strap 106 can be eliminated in favor of an elastic opening, as well as a non-elastic opening with other closures such as a Velcro flap or strap that is either integral with the glove 100 or is a separate element like the wristband 106 illustrated. Moreover, these elements can be combined, i.e., an elastic opening supplemented by a closure strap.

Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B. As shown, an glove 200 similar in construction to that described above is shown, except in this embodiment, the first pocket 202 is designed so that it holds identification cards, transit passes or tickets or similar items, including paper money in a readily accessible position. As seen in FIG. 5A, the pocket preferably is transparent so that certain types of identification can be “flashed” without removal or more readily scanned by scanning equipment. In FIG. 5B, the palm side of the glove 200 is shown and can be seen to be substantially the same as that described above with reference to FIGS. 1-4. It will be further appreciated that this alternate pocket 202 could be designed to be part of or on top of the cell phone pocket 102 described above. As illustrated, the wrist opening 206 is preferably elasticized since the strap and buckle described above will typically be unnecessary due to the lighter weight of the glove 200 and its contents. Another aspect of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 5 is that the “fingerless” design can include an open end 215 that does not define individual fingers but instead circles the hand at a point around or below the knuckles. The design of FIG, 5 also illustrates a thumb opening 204 that is an encircling seam, which may or may not be elasticized. As noted immediately above, this type of thumb opening is applicable to all embodiments of the present invention and not simply the design illustrated.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6B, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the glove 300 is constructed as described above but includes an area or areas 301 that are made of vinyl or the like and are specially adapted to accept writings from washable or semi-permanent ink, permitting the user to jot down information, phone numbers, reminders, etc. As described above, and seen in FIG. 6B, the illustrated embodiment includes a pocket 302 on the back side of the glove that ahs a flap covering secured by a snap.

It will be appreciated that all the embodiments described herein can be created and sold as both fashion accessories, or practical cell phone accessories for individual consumers, but that the designs are also useful in industrial, military, law enforcement and similar settings. Rather than a cell phone, devices of similar size can be readily carried and identification, RFID tags or numerous other devices also installed in the gloves as described and shown herein.

In view of the foregoing, those of skill in the art will appreciate that there has been shown and described herein a garment which fulfills the various objects and advantages sought therefor. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject invention are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. A garment for wearing on a human hand, comprising: a glove for enclosing the hand having a palm surface and a back surface; a first pocket on the back surface of the glove comprising three seamed sides and a fourth side defining an opening; a closure element for the first pocket; and a wrist securing element.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first pocket is stitched to the glove.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first pocket comprises an elastic element.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the closure element is a hook and loop fabric element.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the closure element is a buckle and strap.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the wrist securing element is an elastic member.
 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the wrist securing element is a wristband.
 8. The garment of claim 1 further comprising a second pocket disposed on the palm surface
 9. The garment of claim 8 wherein the second pocket further comprises a closure element.
 10. The garment of claim 9wherein the closure element is a zipper.
 11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first pocket comprises a section of transparent material.
 12. The garment of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said garment is comprised of leather.
 13. The garment of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said garment is comprised of a man made material.
 14. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of said garment comprises a material adapted to be written upon.
 15. The garment of claim 1 further comprising individual sections for receiving fingers of the hand.
 16. A garment for retaining a cell phone on a human hand, comprising: a fingerless glove for enclosing the hand having a palm surface and a back surface; a first pocket for retaining a cell phone on the back surface of the glove comprising three seamed sides and a fourth side defining an opening; a closure element for the first pocket; and a wrist securing element comprising a wrist band.
 17. The garment of claim 16 further comprising a second pocket disposed on the palm surface
 18. The garment of claim 17 wherein the second pocket further comprises a closure element.
 19. A garment for retaining an identification card on a human hand, comprising: a fingerless glove for enclosing the hand having a palm surface and a back surface; a first pocket for retaining an identification card on the back surface of the glove comprising three seamed sides and a fourth side defining an opening; and a wrist securing element comprising an elastic cuff.
 20. The garment of claim 16 further comprising a second pocket disposed on the palm surface. 